Electric railway.



No. 667,|I0. 'Patented Ian. 29, IQOI. I a. T. woons.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY,

(Application filed Sept. 29, 1897. Renewed Oct. 15, 1898.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES: INVENTOR ATTOR N EY NiTnn STATES rricii.

7' 'ATENT GRANVILLE T, WOODS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,110, dated January 29, 190i.

Application filed September 29, 1897. Renewed October 15; 1898. Serial No. 693,680. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GRANVILLE T. Woons, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Electric Railway, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric-railway systems, and particularly to that class of such IO systems wherein the current for driving the car-motors is taken from working conductors along the road bed, to which, preferably through the agency of electromagneticallycontrolled switches along the line of way, the

current is fed only at the time the currentcollectors or contact-makers carried by the car are in engagement with said conductors.

The objects of the invention are to provide a system which is easily constructed, econom- 2o ically operated, and perfectly controlled and which shall be an improvement in construction and operation over that system set forth in my earlier application, Serial No. 610,550, filed October 30, 1896.

2; With these objects in view my invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and circuits, as herein after fully described, and set forth in the claims.

0 In the ordinary mode of constructing railway systems of the class hereinbefore mentioned, if the track-rails are used as returnconductors and the car-wheels as contactinakers, then in addition thereto there is one 5 contact maker used for conveying current to the switch-magnets only, and one other contact-maker for conveying current to the car motor or motors only. When the track-rails are not used for return conductors, there must be provided a third contact-maker for making connection with a special return-conductor. Such modes of construction entail a considerable loss of current because of the resistance occasioned by the small contact- 5 surface between the contact-makers in the motor-circuit and the work-conductors. In my improved system, among other things, I have arranged the circuit so that two contact-makers may be used to constantly convey current in multiple to the motor or mo tors on the car in addition to conveying current to the magnets, said magnets being connected between two working conductors, which deliver (in multiple) about an equal amount of current to the motors through the contact-makers This arrangement is such,

as will be manifest from an inspection of the drawing, as to render it exceedingly diflicult,

if not impossible, to ope rate switches by leak age-currenta trouble which has sometimes arisen in other proposed systems. In one of these multiple connections a magnet-coil, as already indicated, is inserted, while the circuit of the other is closed on each switch successively through a small resistance carried on the car and connected between the contact-makers, being thus thrown in shunt to the magnet-coil as each pair of road-contacts is touched by the contact-makers on the car, and thus shunting a sufficient current through the magnet-coil to insure the positive and certain closing of the switch-contacts so long as the contact-makers touch the road studs or contacts.

Referring now to the drawing, A A represent the track rails, which by preference carry no current either to or from the car motor or motors; but I may, if I so desire, use them as return-conductors. B indicates the generator for supplying current over feeder O and return-conductor O, which eX- tend along the line of way and are properly insulated in any suitable manner.

Along the road lines of working cond uctors are placed at suitable intervals and carefully insulated from each other and from the ground. The working conductors may be of any shape, size, or length desired.

The electromagnetic switches for controlling the fioW of current to the working con- 0 ductors may be variously constructed. I prefer, however, to use one in which the circuit is initially closed by power-current shunted from one working conductor to another as the car moves along and which when closed 5 will be maintained closed by the power-ourrent as it flows through the car motor or motors.

The switch-magnets may be of any suitable form, though I have shown them as having a single core bearing one coil E or E, which is designed to initially energize the magnet for drawing or picking up the armatures to close the switch-contacts and hold the switch closed while the motor is taking current over that particular branch. The movable part of the electromagnetic or pick-up switch is provided with a contact for engagement with cont-act 7 at a break in cross-conductorD, which conduct-or divides or branches, one branch including the magnet-coil E and terminating in one of the work-conductor sections in one line, while the other branch shunt-s around the magnet and terminates in another workconductor section in another line, as illustrated. The said movable part of the switch is provided with an extension carrying insulating material 13, to which a conductingplate 14 is secured. This plate connects and disconnects contacts 8 and 9, so that returnconductors 4 may be placed in communication with the main return C through conductor 10 or be completely disconnected therefrom.

For engagement with the several working conductors there are carried by the cars suitable contact-makers F F" F of such length in proportion to the distance between the surface conductors that they may engage with one in advance before leaving the one in immediate contact.

Upon the car are carried two electrodynamic machines or motors G G, (here diagrammatically shown as connected to the ends of the car-axles,) which are used for propelling purposes. These motors are preferably series-wound and are provided with a switch mechanism which is controlled by lever H, the arrangement being such that a movement of said lever will couple the two motors in series and then in multiple to vary the resistance and counter electromotive force in circuit, and thereby vary the speed or power of the motors. The said motors carried on the car are connected between the contact-makers F F and F F Shown at L L in the armature-circuits of the motors are switches for reversing the motors.

Any suitable means may be employed to initially operate the pick-up-magnet switches or to close the circuit when it becomes interrupted between the magnet and the main circuit. I have shown a simple battery M as indicative of any suitable means for this purpose, and in addition thereto I have shown a rotary transformer \V, which may be substituted, if so desired, for the battery M. I have provided a means at N whereby the transformer-armatu re W may be operated to generate sufiicient current in the pick-up circuit to energize the pick-up magnet when the circuit becomes interrupted between the magnet and the main circuit. The generator part of the transformer-armature and the battery are both connected between contact-makers F F The arrangement of the circuits is such that when the battery is in operation the transformer is out of the circuit, and vice versa. Switch 23 is for equalizing the resistance of branch circuits 15 16, of which con tact-makers F F are illustrated as parts, so that the magnet-coil E will always get sufficient current to operate the pick-up switches with certainty and positiveness. It will be observed that this resistance is carried on the car, thus permitting the use of a single resistance to effect the successive closing of the different switches as the car passes. The resistance need only be a moderate one. The motor part of the transformer is connected between F F. I will point out here that when motors G G are receiving suflicient energy to operate them then battery M and transformer W are on open circuit-that is to say, they furnish no current to the system. Plate 0 is attached to lever H by means of a block K of insulating material.

The operation of the system is as follows: Suppose the motive apparatus is at rest and no current flowing over the mains. To start the machinery, we first move lever H to the left, so as to disconnect contact-plate 0 from contact-strip P and connect contact-plate O with contact R. Then current flows from battery M to contact-maker F work-conductor 3, over branch 15, coil E, branch 16, workconductor 2, contact-maker F, conductor 17, plate 0, contact R, conductor 18, back to the battery M, thus completing the pick-up circuit. Magnet E will then draw up the switch 19 and close the main circuit from conductor 0 to switch 19, over conductor D, coil E, conductor 16, work-conductor 2, contact-maker F, conductor 17, plate 0, motor G, lever H, resistance 20, conductor 21, motor G, conductor 22, contact-maker F, work-conductor l, conductor 10, contacts 8 and 9, plate 14, conductor 10, main return conductor 0, and the generator B. In the meantime lever II has been moved toward the right and plate 0 disconnected from con tact R, (thus cutting battery M out of the circuit,)

and as the lever is moved farther toward the right plate 0 makes contact with conductingstrip P. Then the current from the main conductor divides before it reaches coil E. Approximately one-half of the said main current will now fiow over branch 15, work-conductor 3, contact-maker F switch 23, conductor 24, conducting-strip P, to plate 0, where the two portions of the power-current will meet and flow onward through motors G and G, in series. Continued movement of lever H cuts out resistance 20, thereby increasing the energy of said motors, and then the lever connects with resistance 25. Simultaneously with said connection plate 0 makes contact with resistance 20, thus coupling the motors in multiple, and as the resistances 2O 25 are cut out the current through magnets E E will augment, and thereby increase the power of the magnets and also the torque or speed of the motors. As the car advances contact-makers F F F engage with work-conductors t 5 6, respectively. Power-current will then flow along contact-maker F over IIO - field-magnet.

work-conductor 6, branch 15, coil E, branch 16, work-conductor 5, contact-maker F, and over conductor 17, to the motors. Magnet E will then draw or pick up the switch 19 and close the circuit at contact 4, the current entering at this point dividing, as before described. To stop the motors, lever H is moved back toward the lef so as to again couple battery M into circuit with coil E, and plate 0 breaks contact with conducting-strip P, after which the movement of the lever H is continued until resistance 20 is nearly disconnected therefrom, a small current being allowed to flow, so as to assist in maintaining the energy of the pick-up magnets.

The operation of transformer W is as follows: Switch 26 is disconnected from battery M and connected to contact 27 and switch 33 is connected to contact 38. Then if plate 0 connects with contact R the system will be ready for operation. To start the machinery, crank N is given a quick turn, so as to generate a current in armature W as it rotates in the presence of its permanently-magnetized Current will then flow from armature W along conductor 30, over switch 33, contact-maker F conductor 3, branch 15, coil E, branch 16, conductor 2, contact-maker F, to conductor 31, then to armature W. Switch 19 will then be closed by its magnet E and the power-current will flow over the circuits, as before described, and in addition thereto current will cross switch 26 and contact 27, thence to the motor side of armature W, thence over conductor 32 to contact-maker F, and then to the return-conductor. When lever H is moved toward the right, plate 0 breaks connection with contact R, as before described. Thus the circuit through the motor part of transformer W is opened. It is obvious that when the motor-car leaves a section the switches will automatically open the circuits after the car leaves them.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In an electric railway, the combination of two sets of sectional conductors arranged in two distinct lines, a connection from one conductor in one line to one in the other, both sets being adapted to take current constantly from the feeding-circuit and deliver the same in multiple to the car motor or motors as the car moves along, the conductors of both sets being normally dead, a normally open pickup circuit including a source of electrical energy carried by the car, and a car-controlling switch mechanism whereby, when the car is being brought to rest, said pick-up circuit is closed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an electric railway, the combination of two sets of sectional conductors arranged in two distinct lines, a connection from one conductor in one line to one in the other, both sets being adapted to take current constantly from the feeding-circuit and deliver the same in multiple to the car-motors as the car moves along, the conductors of both sets being normally dead, a switch for controlling the flow of current to a pair of conductors, one in each set, an operating-coil for such switch (normally operated by current which energizes the car-motors) in a connection between said pair of conductors, a normally open pick-up circuit including a source of electrical energy carried by the car, and a car controlling switch mechanism whereby, when the car is being brought to rest, said pick-up circuit is closed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an electric railway, the combination of two sets of sectional conductors arranged in two distinct lines, both sets being adapted to take current constantly from the feedingcircuit and deliver the same in multiple to the car-motors as the car moves along, the conductors of both sets being normally dead, a switch for controlling the flow of current to a pair of conductors, one in each set, an opcrating-coil for such switch (normally operated by current which energizes the car-motors) in a connection between said pair of conductors, the controlling-switch, and means carried by the car for energizing said coil when the car-motors are at rest, said means being controlled by the car-controlling switch, substantially asset forth.

4. In an electric'railway system, the combination of two sets or series of conductors arranged in two distinct lines, a connection from one conductor in one line to one in the other, one set being adapted to take current from the feeding-circuit through a magnetcoil which is normally operated by said current, a switch operated by said magnet for controlling the flow of current to said conductors, a car carrying two driving-motors operating by current from said conductors, a switch in the circuit of the car-motors for coupling said motors in series or in multiple to vary the resistance in said circuit, and a pick-up circuit closed for operation by the latter switch as the car is being brought to rest, substantially as set forth.

5. In an electric-railway system, substantially as described, the combination with the two lines of working conductors, a connection from one conductor in one line to one in" the other, and the normally open electromagnetic switches controlling the flow of current to said conductors, the magnets of said switches being normally energized by the power-current, of a transformer carried by the car in a normally open branch circuit for supplying current to said switch-magnets when the carmotors are at rest, means for bringing said transformer into action as the car is being brought to rest, and means for operating said switches when the supply of current to the motor side of the transformer is cut off.

6. In an electric-railway system, substantially described, the combination with the two lines of working conductors, a connection from one conductor in one line to one in the other, and the normally open electromagnetic switches controlling the flow of current to said conductors, the magnets of said switches being normally energized by the said current, of a transformer carried by the car in a normally open branch circuit, and means whereby said transformer is cut into the pick-up circuit when the car is being brought to rest and disconnected therefrom when the car resumes its motion.

7. In an electric-railway system, the combination with the main circuits, of branches electrically communicating therewith, working conductors in electrical communication with said branches and located along the road-bed, means electrically connected to the car-motor system and carried beneath the car for engagement with said working conductors, two motors in said circuit on the car, a controlling-switch for coupling said motors in series and then in multiple to vary the resistance and counter electromotive force in said circuit, and a pick-up circuit (including a source of electrical energy carried by the closed through the operation of said controlling-switch as said motors are being cut out of circuit and vice versa, substantially as set forth.

8. In a su rface-con tact electric railway, the combination of multiple positive connections between a given point in the feeder and the car, with a magnet-coil in one of the branches.

9. In an electric railway, the combination with a car, of two collectors carried thereby, two sets of sectional conductors arranged in pairs of sections, each section of which is adapted to be independently engaged by only one of said collectors, and a single electromagnetic pick-up switch for connecting the supply-circuit with each pair of said conductorsections, each section of which pair is engaged by one of said independent collectors.

10. In an electric railway, the combination with a car, of a pair of eXactly-corresponding collectors carried thereby, and two sets of sectional conductors arranged in pairs of sections, each section of each pair being adapted to be engaged by one of said independent collectors simultaneously with the engagement of the other collector of the pair with the other section of the pair of sections.

11. In an electric railway, the combination with the supply-conductors, of sectional working conductors normally disconnected therefrom, pairs of said working conductors being adapted to be connected in parallel with the supply-conductors during the same and equal extent of time.

12. In an electric railway, the combination with two sectional Working conductors, of a supply-conductor an electromagnetic switch adapted to connect said sectional conductors in parallel with said su pply-conductor, a sectional return-conductor, and a solenoid for the switch in the circuit to the sectional working conductor located between its mate and said sectional return-conductor.

13. In an electric railway, the combination with working conductor-sections, of returnconductor sections, a magnet-coil in circuit with each of said working sections, and a switch operated by said coil for connecting said working and return sections to the main supply-circuit.

14. In an electric railway, the combination with two working conductors which are connected in parallel with the feeder, of a car carrying collectors forsaid conductors, and also a contact movable with respect to the car to be connected with the car-motors and to be connected through one collector to one working conductor, said car carrying also a stationary contact adapted to be connected through the other collector to the other working conductor and which is adapted to be engaged by the movable contact.

15. An electric controller comprising two simultaneously-movable electrically'connected contacts H and O, the second of which is connected to the source of current-supply, a stationary contact 20 adapted to be engaged by the first. of said movable contacts to connect the motors in series, and a second stationary contact 25 adapted to be engaged by said first movable contact at the same time that said first stationary contact is engaged by the second movable contact, to connect the motors in parallel.

16. The combination with a car, of electric motors connected to the respective axles, a movable contact connected to the source of supply and to one of said motors, a second contact movable with the first contact and connected to the other side of the same motor, a stationary contact connected through the other motor to ground and traversed by the second movable contact to connect the motors in series, and a second stationary contact connected to ground and traversed by the second movable contact to connect the first motor to ground while the first movable contact is traversing the first stationary contact to supply the second motor with current, whereby the motors are connected in parallel.

17. The combination wit-h a car, of electric motors connected to the respective axles, a movable contact connected to the source of supply and to one of said motors, a second con tact movable simultaneously with the first and connected to the other side of the same motor, a series of resistance contacts connected through the other motor to ground and traversed by the second movable contact to connect the motors in series, a second series of resistance-contacts connected to ground and traversed by the second movable contact to connect the first motor to ground while the first movable contact is traversing the first series of resistance-contacts to connect the second motor to ground, whereby the motors are connected in parallel.

18. In an electric sectional railway, the combination with a car, of pick-up switches, an auxiliary source of electricity on the car for said switches, a movable switch adapted to complete the pick-up circuit in one position, to feed the motors in series in another posi tion, and to feed the motors in parallel in a third position. v

19. In an electric sectional railway, the combination with a car, of pick-up switches, an auxiliary source of electricity for said switches on the car, a motor-controller, and means operated by said controller for opening and closing the pick-up circuit.

20. In an electric sectional railway, the combination with a car, of pick-up switches, an auxiliary source of electricityfor said switches on the car, and a motor-switch adapted to keep said circuit closed while no current is flowing through the motors.

21. The combination with a motor-car, of sectional working conductors along the Way, collectors carried by the car and adapted to engage with said conductors, electromagnetic switches between the working conductors and the supply, each adapted to be normally operated by the current shunted through the collectors from a preceding sectional conductor, 'an auxiliary source of energy for said electromagnets, and means for automatically inserting said source in circuit with said electromagnetic switches when the current is cut off from said motors, and for opening said circuit when current is flowing through the motors.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 25th day of September, A. D. 1897.

GRANVILLE T. WOODS.

Witnesses:

WM. H. GAPEL, D. H. DECKER. 

